Jaguars vs. Cincinnati: What Jaguars Learned from Latest Loss

I'm not sure whether to be happy about the fact that the Jacksonville Jaguars put 20 points on the board against the NFL's top-rated defense, or be concerned because there are still questions about coaching and the offense.

Nonetheless, Jacksonville showed some life Sunday, yet at times they seemed as though they were giving the ballgame away.

Blaine Gabbert and crew have now lost four in a row, which will call into question head coach Jack Del Rio's job security and the state of the franchise as it is now, which is bleak.

This is a game that got away from the Jaguars, and for two rookie quarterbacks who went back and forth trying to make a difference, in the end, Andy Dalton of Cincinnati was better Sunday than his counterpart.

Here are other things we learned about the game between the Jaguars and the Bengals.

10. Gabbert Is Still Playing Jekyll and Hyde Football

One minute, rookie Blaine Gabbert looks every bit the NFL quarterback he needs to be.

The next, he looks like a school boy lost on the field.

He threw for 221 yards and a touchdown Sunday, but it did not take away from his inability to put together two solid halves.

9. The Defense Contained the Running Game

The Jaguars' run defense looked like its old self this week, holding Cedric Benson to 53 yards on the game and his backup Bernard Scott to 20 yards.

It was Scott who scored the go-ahead score to help the Bengals win the game.

But the containment by the front four for Jacksonville proved again they are one of the better run defenses in the league.

8. Punter Matt Turk Needs to Go

I realize the wind was a factor in this game, but a veteran punter like Matt Turk has to play more consistently than he has been.

Kicking in the second half was disastrous, but he could have pooch punted or done something to help control field position.

The Jaguars need to find more consistency in the punting game.

They also need to decide if rookie Cecil Shorts is really the return specialist they need on the field.

7. Andy Dalton and AJ Green Make a Nice Combination

The two will be a force in the NFL for a while.

Green possesses nice skills and Dalton has a nice throwing motion. He was the better rookie on the field today.

The Bengals found their offense for the next 10 years in this year's NFL draft.

6. Jeremy Mincey Was a Stud Today

The Jaguars' defensive end was all over the field.

If he wasn't in Andy Dalton's face, he was chasing down Cedric Benson or causing all kinds of problems on the defensive live.

He was a major reason the Bengals could not move the ball on the ground.

5. MJD Has Another Good Game

If there are better runners in this league, there are few of them.

MJD ran for 85 yards and a touchdown and looked like he was going to run through the Bengals' defensive line.

The running game really helped Gabbert today, allowing him to make more pass plays and find open receivers.

4. 2 Halves Make a Whole Game

When the Jaguars can come out and play two solid halves, this team will win.

Gabbert needs to come out of the tunnel and show he is as effective in the second half. The running game still needs to remain the focus of the offense. And there needs to be more trust in getting touchdowns, not just field goals.

Jacksonville should have been ahead 21-13 at halftime.

3. Jason Hill Came Up Big

After looking like he was all talk and no action, Jason Hill scores on a long pass play.

Finally.

The Jaguars still need consistency from their receivers, and tight end Marcedes Lewis needs to catch a ball that is thrown to him.

Lewis let Gabbert down today.

2. How Long Does Jack Del Rio Have?

The team is 1-4 and heads to Pittsburgh next week.

Then Baltimore comes to visit on Monday Night Football.

This team could be 1-6 and looking to draft first in the 2012 draft.

Will owner Wayne Weaver make a move in the middle of the season? And how short a leash does Jack Del Rio have?

1. There Needs to Be More Communication on the Offensive Side of the Ball

Understand that Brad Meester did not lose this game for the Jaguars.

There are still communication issues on the offensive line, in the huddle and with the sideline.

This is the second time this has happened this season and just like the Carolina game, this was a game the Jaguars gave away when they should have won.